verb
strum
struhm
Strum (verb) means to play a stringed instrument by brushing the fingers or a pick across several strings at once. Example: “He sat on the porch strumming his guitar.”
verb
1
To play a stringed instrument by brushing the fingers or a pick across several strings at once.
"He sat on the porch strumming his guitar."
"She strummed a few chords to warm up before the show."
noun
1
The sound or action of strumming.
"The song opens with a gentle strum on an acoustic guitar."
How to use strum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPlaying a guitar or similar instrument by sweeping across multiple strings rather than picking single notes.
Common pairings
strum a guitar
strum along
strum chords
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Word forms
- Plural
- strums
- Third person singular
- strums
- Past tense
- strummed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The song opens with a gentle _____ on an acoustic guitar.
Etymology
A variant of the older word thrum, describing the rhythmic playing of stringed instruments.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for strum
See all rhymes for strum →Frequently asked questions
What does “strum” mean?
The word “strum” means to play a stringed instrument by brushing the fingers or a pick across several strings at once. In plain terms, playing a guitar or similar instrument by sweeping across multiple strings rather than picking single notes.
How do you pronounce “strum”?
“Strum” is pronounced struhm (/strʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “strum” in a sentence?
Here is “strum” used in a sentence: “He sat on the porch strumming his guitar.”
What part of speech is “strum”?
Depending on how it is used, “strum” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “strum” have?
“Strum” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to play a stringed instrument by brushing the fingers or a pick across several strings at once.
